Corewell Health System

Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital Honored for Sustainability Efforts

Becker's Hospital Review has named Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital as one of "50 of the Greenest Hospital in America" for 2015.

Becker’s Hospital Review has named Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital as one of “50 of the Greenest Hospital in America” for 2015.

The list features hospitals that are leading the industry in sustainable innovation, ecofriendly design and green improvements. These hospitals have won awards and earned prestige for their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint.

“We are very pleased to have Blodgett Hospital recognized for its ‘green’ efforts,” said Paul Bonis, president, Blodgett Hospital. “It not only is the right thing to do but it also helps our patients and their families by providing a more pleasant environment for healing.”

The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team selected hospitals for inclusion based on Practice Greenhealth’s list of Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award honorees, Practice Greenhealth’s Circles of Excellence and participation in all six Healthier Hospital Initiative challenges.

Blodgett Hospital was one of 10 hospitals in the United States to receive Practice Greenhealth’s Leadership Circle of Excellence Award in 2015. Sustainability programs and steps that helped the facility become a member of the Environmental Leadership Circle include Blodgett Hospital’s LEED Silver certification (new addition), green roof, energy efficiency program and recycling and waste-reduction efforts. Blodgett Hospital also participates in all six HHI Challenges.

“Spectrum Health’s commitment to sustainability is present at every level of the organization, from frontline staff to leadership,” said Sarah Chartier, sustainability program manager, Spectrum Health. “We are focused on healing our patients and the planet because we know that it’s the right thing to do. Spectrum Health understands the connection between human and environmental health and we are committed to reducing our environmental impact.”

Participation in the HHI challenges means committing to having an engaged leadership that supports sustainability efforts, offering healthier food, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste and increasing recycling, transitioning to using safer chemicals and purchasing environmentally preferable products.

The Becker’s team also looked at hospitals that are working toward, or have received, a certification level of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design from the U.S. Green Building Council, and facilities that have been recently named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year or a National Top 100 Green Energy User by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The full list features individual profiles of all 50 organizations can be found at http://bit.ly/GreenestHospitals2015.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 183 ambulatory and service sites; more than 3,100 physicians and advanced practice providers, including 1,200 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with about 654,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer, with 23,400 employees. The organization provided $283 million in community benefit during its 2015 fiscal year. Spectrum Health is the only health system in Michigan to be named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics for 2015. This is the fourth time the organization has received this recognition.